Irela M. Bagué ​

President & CEO

Ms. Bagué is a bilingual public affairs consultant and principal for Bagué Group, a full-service consulting firm with over 20 years of experience in Florida focused in the areas of business development, public infrastructure, water & waste water resources, natural systems restoration, sustainability, resiliency, public involvement services and government affairs.

In 2003, Ms. Bagué was appointed to the South Florida Water Management District Board by Governor Jeb Bush, where she held the position of Board Vice-Chair until April 2007. She was responsible for establishing policy in the areas of water resources development and regulation, flood control, water quality protection and natural systems restoration primarily with a focus on the restoration of America’s Everglades.

As a former state appointed official, Ms. Bagué has earned the respect of clients and policy makers alike. She is known for her in-depth understanding of the political process and for her critical insight and clear and straightforward communications style making her a credible and engaging spokesperson. She is a longtime advocate for Everglades and Biscayne Bay restoration, alternative water supply funding, climate change and ethnic diversity in the environmental movement.
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She currently serves on the National Parks Conservation Association’s Southeast Regional Council, Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce – Resilience Committee Chair, Florida Water Advocates, The CLEO Institute, Resilient Utility Coalition, Chairs the City of Coral Gables Sustainability Advisory Board and is a founding member of Resiliency Florida the leading advocacy voice in Tallahassee and Washington D.C., helping communities in their efforts to plan and adapt for the future impacts of weather and sea level rise.

Ms. Bagué is host of Resilient Forward a podcast promoting solutions to Florida’s most challenging environmental issues and she frequently contributes to the Sun-Sentinel’s South Florida 100 editorial section.